What does nebuliser treatment treat?

Depending on the medicine, it may ease wheezing, reduce airway tightening, or help deliver treatment when breathing is difficult or using an inhaler is not practical. The device treats a breathing problem with a prescribed medicine; it does not treat every cause of breathlessness.

Clinicians may use nebulised medicine during an asthma flare or other episodes of airway narrowing. It can also be considered in some children with bronchiolitis or croup, and in selected respiratory illnesses such as acute bronchitis when a clinician identifies a reason for it.

A nebuliser turns liquid medicine into a fine mist breathed through a mask or mouthpiece. The medicine and dose depend on the person and the problem, so nebulisers should not be shared or filled with unprescribed products.

Sit upright, make a good seal around the mouthpiece or mask, and breathe normally unless your clinician gives different instructions. Clean and dry the equipment as directed, and keep prescribed medicines stored safely. A clinician or pharmacist can show you how to assemble and clean your nebuliser.

Monitor how your breathing responds and follow your written action plan if you have one. If treatment causes troublesome shaking, a racing heartbeat, or worsening symptoms, contact a clinician for advice rather than changing the dose yourself.

Call emergency services for severe shortness of breath, blue or grey lips, inability to speak in full sentences, severe chest tightness, confusion, collapse, or rapidly worsening wheezing. Use your prescribed emergency plan while help is coming.

Seek prompt medical advice when symptoms return soon after treatment, the nebuliser provides little relief, or you need it more often than directed. Children with noisy breathing, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, or visible effort to breathe need urgent assessment.

What medicine should go in my nebuliser, and what does it treat? How often should I use it? Would an inhaler and spacer be suitable? How do I clean the equipment, and which breathing changes mean I should seek emergency help?